Free online courses in business sustainability
Waipā District Council is supporting 50 free spots in online business courses focused on sustainability.
The courses, usually $120 per person, are designed by New Zealand sustainability experts and are run by the Sustainable Business Network. A subsidy from Tax Management NZ, combined with money managed by Council on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment, means 10 free spots each in one of five courses are up for grabs.
Council’s waste minimisation advisor Sally Fraser said courses cover everything from the circular economy to carbon offsetting.
“Now, more than ever, Council is super keen to support local businesses learn more about how to make sustainable changes. The flow-on effects are huge not only for the businesses themselves, but for the wider community,” Fraser said.
“This will help local people learn what they need to take some really good steps forward, but without the cost barriers so many businesses face.”
The five courses, beginning in March and running through to September include:
- Introduction to sustainability in business (March 1)
- Your business and the circular economy (April 5)
- Product stewardship in your business (June 7)
- Taking climate action in your business (August 2)
- What carbon offsetting means for your business (September 6)
“If people are keen on signing up, they should head to sustainable.org.nz/learn/training/starting-out-on-sustainability and use the code WAIPASBN to sign up to any (or all) of the workshops,” Fraser said.
“It’s first in, first served. If you miss out on the fully funded spots you can still participate, with the Tax Management NZ subsidy making each course just $20 for Sustainable Business Network and Tax Management NZ members and $50 for general admission. So it’s a really affordable way of beginning a sustainability journey.”
